Ditching machine



Jan. 30, 1962 w. N. ZIMMERMAN, JR 3,

' DITCHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 13, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5.9 F lg. I

Fig.2

1 Wade A. Z/mmerman Jr INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,018,572 DITCI-IING MACHINE Wade N. Zimmerman, Jr., 7052 Rhea Ave, Reseda, Calif. Filed Jan. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 786,528 8 Claims. (CI. 37-90) This invention relates in general to excavating machines and pertains more partcularly to improvements in ditching machines.

There is a definite need and demand for a compact, close-coupled ditching machine which is particularly adapted for excavating work for houses, buildings and the like especially such as for digging foundations or trenches. It is therefore of primary concern in connection with this invention to provide a ditching machine particularly meeting these requirements and so constructed as to have its component parts so arranged as to be highly efficient in operation while at the same time as closely coupled and as compact as is possible to perform the desired functions.

Another object of this invention is 'to provide improvements in ditching machines incorporating a main supporting frame having propelling mechanism mounted thereon, there being a power source mounted transversely at the rear extremity of the'frame and a ditching or digging device at the forward extremity of the frame, and, immediately therebelow, a transverse conveyor for conveying or propelling dirt dug by the ditcher laterally to one side of the machine, the central portion of the main frame and machine, as provided for by the spacing between' the power source and ditching mechanism, being provided with power transmission means for the conveyor and for the final drive or propelling means for the main frame and with there further being a power transmission means mounted above the power source to one side of the machine for operating the ditching mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ditchi-ng machine having a preponderance of the weight thereof concentrated at opposite ends of the main frame and being provided, intermediate thereof, with an operators station to one side of the machine with power transmission means for the final drive of the machine and for the conveyor mechanism thereof mounted closely adjacent to the operators station and substantially midway between the opposite sides of the main frame.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a machine in conformity with the immediately preceding object wherein the power transmission means for the final drive and for the conveyor as well as the power transmission means for the ditching mechanism all incorporate change speed transmissions for preselecting their running speeds of the various component parts of the mechanism to suit the operating conditions encountered and for changing them at will.

-Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a ditching machine wherein a conventional type of crawler tractor, such as the well known John Deere Crawler Tractor, is converted to the purposes of this invention by incorporating therein conventional commercial mechanisms such as transmissions, conveyor belts, controls, etc.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention illustrating the disposition of the power source at one end of the frame and of the ditching and conveying mechanism at the opposite end of the frame leaving the centralportion of the machine open for location of certain of'the power transmission mechanisms;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 1 further illustrating the disposition of the component parts thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the machine clearly illustrating the disposition of the operators station to one side of the machine and the central location of certain of the power transmission means as well as the side location of the power transmission shafts for the ditching machine and for the conveyor; and

FIGURE 4 is a schematic plan View illustrating the disposition of the power transmission means in conjunction with the final drive mechanism for the frame as well as the power source and the other component parts of the machine.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the reference numerals 10 and 11 indicate generally endless tread propelling mechanisms of conventional construc tion which may be utilized as the propelling means for the machine. As can be seen most clearly in FIGURE 1, each of these endless tread assemblies includes a conventional frame 12 and is provided with a drive sprocket 13 at one end and an idler sprocket 14 at the opposite end over which the endless tread 15 is trained, all as is conventional. Actually, by preference a machine constructed in accordance with this invention may utilize any conventional endless tread or equivalent vehicle having the power source and transmission means thereof removed and replaced by that set forth hereinafter.

The power source for the ditching machine comprises an internal combustion engine and as can be best seen in FIGURE 3, which is indicated by the reference character 16 and is mounted transversely at the rear extremity of the machine, there being a conventional radiator 17 associated therewith, reference character 18 designating a hood portion partially covering the engine and the reference character 19 indicating a conventional air cleaner for the carburetor of the engine. The power source 16 is mounted substantially directly over the final drive housing 20, see particularly FIGURE 4, which is a standard portion of the endless track vehicle from which the ditching machine is made. As will be understood, the final drive housing 20 houses a final drive mechanism of the type preferably having both steering clutches and steering brakes, as is conventional, and the housing itself is directly connected to the frames for the endless tread assemblies 10 and 11 to form a rigid interconnection therewith.

A generally U-shaped auxiliary frame, as shown in FIGURE 3, is mounted to extend forwardly beyond the frame 12 of the endless tread mechanism 10 and 11 and includes the opposite side frames 21 and 22 rigidly connected to their respective frames 12 of the endless tread assemblies 10 and 11 and a transverse frame portion including the bight member 23 as well as the subframe indicated generally by the reference character 24 carrying uprights 25 and 26 at the forward extremity thereof which are rigidly connected at their lower ends to the sub-frame 24 which, in turn, is rigidly connected to the bight member 23.

.A pair of digger supports 30 and 31, see FIGURES 2 and 3, are disposed in forwardly and upwardl inclined relationship with respect to the main frame of the vehicle and are connected at their lower ends to such main frame and at their upper ends to the upper extremities of the uprights 25 and 26 and provide a guide and support means for the ditching assembly indicated generally by the reference character 33. The ditching mechanism itself is of generally conventional construction including an elongate supporting frame 34 having an endless bucket conveyor 35 trained thereabout from end to end thereof 3 and including the individual digging buckets 36. The

opposite sides of the frame 34 carry collars or sleeves 37 and 38 which slidably embrace the respective posts and 31- and, being rigid with the frame 34, rigidly guide the ditching mechanism 33 for movement along the posts 30 and 31 to effect the desired depth of penetration of the ditching mechanism into the soil.

At the forward extremity of the auxiliary or subassembly frame 24 is a transverse conveyor mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 40 including a supporting frame 41 journaling rollers 42 and 43 thereon over which the conveyor belt 44 is trained for lateral disposition with respect to the main frame of the machine and which conveyor belt is positioned substantially below the upper or discharge end of the ditching mechanism 33 so as to receive dirt thereon and propel it laterally to one side or the other of the machine for discharge therefrom.

The sleeves 37 and 38 are also conneced to the lateral side extensions and 51 on the frame 34 for the ditching mechanism and also mounted on the collar 38 is a gear reduction unit indicated generally by the reference character 52 having an output shaft 53, see FIGURES 3 and 4, connected to the drive sprocket (not shown) for the ditching mechanism 33. The input shaft for the gear reduction unit 52 is designated by the reference character 54 as is shown most clearly in FIGURES 1 and 4.

The sleeves 37 and 38 are provided with upper extensions 55 and 56 in the form of generally rectangular plates each having an ear thereon as is indicated by the reference characters 57 and 58 to which are pivotally connected as at 59 to the upper extremities of piston rods 60 and 61 of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies, the cylinders of which are indicated by the reference characters 62 and 63. The lower extremities of the cylinders 62 and 63 are pivotally connected to the main frame 12 of the machine and, as will be readily apparent, when the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies are actuated, the ditching assembly 33 will be moved correspondingly along the support posts 30 and 31 therefor for altering the depth of penetration of the ditching mechanism into the ground surface.

As can be best illustrated in FIGURE 4, the power source 16 has a change speed transmission connected to the rear end thereof and positioned on that side of the machine opposite from the operators station indicated generally by the reference character 71. The main output shaft 72 of this change speed transmission is connected, through the V pulley and belt system indicated generally by the reference character 73 to a gear reduction unit indicated generally by the reference character 74. Although this gear reduction unit, in the diagrammatic showing of FIGURE 4, is illustrated as being to one side of the change speed transmission 70, it is to be understood that in actuality the gear reduction unit 74 is mounted substantially directly above the change speed transmission 70 as can be better illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein the input shaft for the gear reduction assembly 74 is indicated by the reference character 75. The outputshaft 76 of this gear reduction unit 74 extends in a fore and aft direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine and is connected, through universal joints 77 and 78 and the intermediate telescopically interengaged drive sections 79 and 80 to the input shaft 54 of the gear reduction unit 52 previously described. Thus, the drive for the ditching mechanism is located to one side of the machine and extends in a fore and aft direction relative thereto from the rear to the forward portion thereof.

The previously mentioned main change speed transmission 70 is provided with a change speed power takeoff assembly indicated by the reference character sion means 90, 93 and 99 therebetween.

which, in turn, is coupled through its output shaft to a further change speed transmission 90. The change speed transmission operates as a common change speed transmission for a pair of plural power paths extending respectively to the final drive for the machine and to the conveyor mechanism previously described. The output shaft 91 of change speed transmission 90 is connected through chain 92 to a further change speed transmission 93 mounted directly at the forward end of the final drive housing 20 and connected or coupled to the input shaft thereof whereas this same change speed transmission 90 is provided with a power take-off change speed transmis sion 95 having an output shaft 96 coupled, through chain 97 to the input shaft 98 of a further change speed transmission 99. The output shaft 100 of change speed transmission 99 is coupled through universal joints 101 and 102 and an intermediate shaft 103 to the input shaft 104 for driving the conveyor mechanism 40.

A hydraulic pump is provided for operating the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 62 and 63 and is preferably driven, as is shown in FIGURE 4, through a suitable belt 111 operating from the water pump or fan drive of the power source 16. The pump 110 is connected through a pick-up line 112 to a suitable reservoir 113 and has an output line 114 connected, through a control valve 115 to lines 116 and 117 respectively each of which leads to both of the cylinders 62 and 63 but to opposite ends thereof so that the control valve handles 118 and 119 may effect opposite directions of power transmission of the piston and cylinder assemblies to effectively raise and lower, respectively, the ditching mechanism 33.

The power take-off change speed mechanism 85, being remote from the operators station 71 is provided with a remote control rod 120 extending to a control lever 121 in close proximity to the operator, the same being located beneath the hood 18 in FIGURE 3. Similarly the transmission 70 has a control rod 130 and handle 131. The remaining change speed transmissions 90, 93 and 99 are provided with conventional stick shift mechanisms 125, 126 and 127 respectively.

It is to be noted that the two change speed mechanisms 90 and 93 are located substantially midway between the opposite sides of the machine and are preferably tilted slightly at an angle such that the levers and 126 thereof are easily accessible to the operator seated in the seat 130 mounted on platform 131 rigidly secured to the frame of the machine. It is also to be noted that the concentration of a major portion of the weight of the vehicle is at the opposite ends thereof as effected by the disposition of the power source and the gear reduction unit 74 on the one hand and the ditching machanism 33 and conveyor mechanism 40 on the other hand. Moreover, the ditching mechanism 33 is located in spaced relationship to the power source by an amount substantially only to accommodate the power transmis- This permits i a very closely coupled vehicle with its weight substantially having an output shaft 86 connected, through chain 87 concentrated on the opposite ends thereof effecting a very stable and rigid and yet wholly effective assemblage.

There is provided a still further conventional five-speed transmission 132 with a control lever 133 between the transmissions 93 and 20. The transmission 132 may be of the well known John Deere type. The usual brake and clutch fluid drive control lever, not shown, are provided for the transmission 20. The transmission 95 has a control lever and control rod 135 as shown in FIGURE 4.

The gear box 95 controls the operation of the conveyor belt from the drivers seat 130. The change speed lever 127 can vary the speed of the conveyor belt drive but is not accessible from the drivers seat. The assembly 95 is therefore provided with a forward, neutral and reverse gearing. I

The gear box 85 also has a forward, neutral and reverse gearing only.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A ditch digging machine comprising a mobile frame including means for propelling the same, a power source mounted transversely at one extremity of the frame, a horizontal, transverse conveyor mounted at the opposite extremity of said frame, a digger assembly mounted on said frame immediately behind said conveyor and having a discharge portion for depositing dirt thereupon and being spaced forwardly of said power source, power transmission means for said propelling means and said conveyor disposed between said power source and said digger and on one side of said frame, an operators station at the opposite side of said frame between said power source and said digger, power transmission means mounted above said power source at said one side of the frame connected to said digger, said power source and said digger being spaced apart only by an amount sufficient to accommodate the first-mentioned transmission means therebetween so as to provide a close-coupled machine having a major portion of its weight concentrated at the opposite ends thereof.

2. A ditch digging machine comprising a pair of spaced, parallel endless tread assemblies, a final drive assembly rigidly interconnecting said endless tread assemblies at the rear ends thereof, a power source mounted transversely upon and above said final drive assembly and having a main transmission connected thereto and positioned at one side of the machine, an auxiliary frame rigid with said endless tread assemblies and projecting forwardly thereof and including a transverse frame portion ahead of said endless tread assemblies, a pair of uprights secured at their lower ends to said transverse frame portion, a pair of digger support posts secured at their lower ends to the frames of respective endless tread assemblies and upwardly and forwardly inclined therefrom for rigid connection with the upper ends of said uprights, a digger assembly inclined similarly to the inclination of said digger support posts and slidably mounted therebetween, a transverse horizontal conveyor mounted on said transverse frame portion below the upper end of said digger assembly, and plural drive means from said main transmission to said digger, said conveyor and said final drive assembly for separately driving the same.

3. The combination defined in and by claim 1 wherein a main transmission is connected to said power source in tandem therewith at that side of the frame opposite said operators station, said main transmission having a main output shaft connected to the last mentioned transmission means and a power take-off shaft connected to said first mentioned transmission means.

4. The combination defined in and by claim 1 wherein a main transmission is connected to said power source in tandem therewith at that side of the frame opposite said operators station, said main transmission having a main output shaft connected to the last mentioned transmission means and a power take-off shaft connected to said first mentioned transmission means, said first mentioned transmission means including a pair of change speed transmissions in the power path to said propelling means.

5. The combination defined in and by claim 1 wherein a main transmission is connected to said power source in tandem therewith at that side of the frame opposite said operators station, said main transmission having a main output shaft connected to the last mentioned transmission means and a power take-off shaft connected to said first mentioned transmission means, said first mentioned transmission means including a pair of change speed transmissions in the power path to said conveyor.

6. The combination defined in and by claim 1 wherein a main transmission is connected to said power source in tandem therewith at that side of the frame opposite said operator's station, said main transmission having a main output shaft connected to the last mentioned transmission means and a power take-off shaft connected to said first mentioned transmission means, said first mentioned transmission means including a first change speed transmission having a main output shaft and a power take-off shaft, a second change speed transmission connected to the main output shaft of said first change speed transmission and in the path to said propelling means, and a third change speed transmission connected to the power take-off shaft of said first change speed transmission and in the power path to said conveyor.

7. The combination defined in and by claim 1 wherein a main transmission is connected to said power source in tandem therewith at that side of the frame opposite said operators station, said main transmission having a main output shaft connected to the last mentioned transmission means and a power takeoff shaft connected to said first mentioned transmission means, said first mentioned transmission means including a pair of change speed transmissions in the power path of said propelling means, said change speed transmissions being located substantially eccentrically of said frame so as to be in close proximity to said operators station for control therefrom.

8. A ditch digging machine comprising a mobile frame including means for propelling the same, a power source mounted transversely at one extremity of the frame, a horizontal, transverse conveyor mounted at the opposite extremity of said frame, a digger assembly mounted on said frame immediately behind said conveyor for depositing dirt thereupon and being spaced forwardly of said power source, power transmission means for said propelling means and said conveyor disposed between said power source and said digger on one side of said frame, an operators station at the opposite side of said frame between said power source and said digger, power transmission means mounted above said power source at said one side of the frame connected to said digger, said power source and said digger being spaced apart only by an amount sufiicient to accommodate the firstmentioned transmission means therebetween so as to provide a close-coupled machine having a major portion of its weight concentrated at the opposite ends thereof, said frame including a pair of uprights at the forward end thereof, said digger including upwardly and forwardly inclined support posts connected at their lower ends to an intermediate portion of said frame and at their upper ends to the upper ends of said uprights, an elongate frame between and slidably mounted on said support posts, and an endless bucket conveyor trained about said elongate digger frame, and hydraulic means for raising and lowering said elongate digger frame along said support posts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 452,492 Whitcomb May 19, 1891 673,920 McKee May 14, 1901 777,204 Helm Dec. 13, 1904 993,706 Mundale May 30, 1911 1,078,234 Wyckoif Nov. 11, 1913 1,708,598 Vaughn Apr. 9, 1929 1,762,569 Barber June 10, 1930 1,806,511 Vaughn May 19, 1931 2,607,136 Hellums Aug. 19, 1952 2,671,282 Gardner et al. Mar. 9, 1954 2,817,911 Owen et al. Dec. 31, 1957 

